I think it's a valid question. The M11x hinge is a case in point (and previously I've heard M15x also had same issue). I guess if one knew exactly how many AW units were out there with no significant issues and exactly how many have big issues and compare the ratio of the two with other brands we can provide a sensible answer.

I suspect it's easy to look at the forums and mistakenly suggest that AlienWare has a lot issues.

Delve into the depth of the forums though and I think one would tend to notice that alot of the "issues" relate to things the average joe who buys a stock computer off the shelf is not likely to even consider. Talking about what temps your cores, graphics and the various fan speeds aren't the usual topics of a mass market computer tech support line. Most people would probably just ring their warranty people too if something occurred and I doubt they'd be bothered to check any forums.

I think it's fair to say it has a lot to do with the type of customer that is attracted to these machine. People who want high performance and an ability to tinker to their hearts content.

I follow this forum daily . Many issues are minor with some being operator error, granted some issues are major. I purchased an Aurora ALX last Oct/09. I'm 1 year into my system with NO hardware issues and many hours of hardcore gaming.

I just got my new m17x yesterday and after less than 4 hours I noticed it randomly bluescreening when I moved. I just noticed a hour ago that it has a senstive spot on the bottom and if I tap it just right it blue screens everytime. so looks like I'm another one for the factory defect list

AW or dell should really take these issues seriously... we've paid them good money, the least that we expect from them is to have a problem free machine out of their factories. I also have to send back my aurora unit back in Jul coz the machine just wont stay up and running.. people may say, ok, just open it up and re-insert all cards, but why would i do that, its a brand new expensive machine and its not working.. the upsetting part is that the machine comes with a black booklet and in its intro (page 5) it says that "they've built the machine to perform to its fullest potential, tested it thoroughly, etc.." which is just and plain simple and a big lie...

Many times during shipping, components become loose. I always reseat components (cables, cards, ram) before I turn on a Desktop PC for the first time. Plus, it allows you to learn about the chassis and internal parts.

If that is the case then is there something AW or Dell can do to prevent such issues? Coz as you know not many people are comfortable in opening their PCs and unplugging and plugging things on it. I've been working with computers for 10+ yrs now (mostly on SW not HW) however im still not comfortable opening and re-inserting things on it. That's actually one of the reasons why i personally bought a ready made PC rather than building one for my self.

Cant you guys not put some sort of foams inside that can be easily pulled out by the customers before starting their PCs for the first time. I remember seeing such thing back then when my company bought a sun server. It was really packed inside with foams that even if you shook or roll it, nothing will fall off on it. Its really quite disappointing having paid 4K-5K dollars for a PC and in your first few days of using it, it wouldnt stay up online even for an hour..

I can only tell you about my reasoning for going with D3LL/ AW. I bought a refurbished Aurora ALX , it was a lot less than a new system from AW or any other high end provider. My system has 2 HD 5870's I7 920 2 750 GB Raid 0 . I paid a little over 2k for this, it would have cost me a lot more new. one of the reasons but not the main one that I went with dell is the economy. My logic was that if the economy continues to slide , dell is not likely to go out of business. Now some of the other well know gaming pc makers might not either but less than 6 years ago there were many more shops than now excluding the buyouts of A/W and Voodoo. The other well known shops might not survive if markets go south, then what good is a three year warranty ? .

With two kids and a wife that doesn't share or like my addiction to computers/ electronics I went with Dell because of the bang for my buck, good past experience's with their pc's and a belief that they will be around in a couple of years to support my warranty. I have been lucky so far, the only prob I had was a bad HD and D3ll replaced it right away without question. My Aurora has exceeded all of my expectations ! and handles everything I have run on it at full settings. Every company that makes a product has problems @ some point with parts ect. I can't speak about laptops but in the high end / gaming desktop market I think D3LL / AW hold their own. AND OUR A/W PC'S LOOK BETTER THAN ANY PC PERIOD !.